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Intussusception in an adult patient with severe hyperglycaemia—a case report
Author(s) -
McFarlane S. I.,
Byrne K.,
Shin J.,
Williams R.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1046/j.1464-5491.2002.00751.x
Subject(s) - medicine , intussusception (medical disorder) , abdominal pain , abdomen , medical history , surgery , radiology
Abstract Aims To report a case of adult intussusception associated with and possibly induced by acute hyperglycaemia. Methods We present the first case report of adult intussusception with severe hyperglycaemia. Clinical and laboratory data together with radiological findings are presented with a brief review of the literature. Results A 20‐year‐old man with no past medical history presented with abdominal pain for 2 days. The patient was severely hyperglycaemic with blood glucose of 72.7 mmol/l (normal 3.3–6.1 mmol/l), a pH of 7.2 and serum potassium of 6.5 mmol/l (normal 3.5–5.0 mmol/l). He had a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen that revealed small bowel intussusception. Upon treatment of his hyperglycaemia, the patient's abdominal pain completely resolved. Follow up abdominal CT revealed complete resolution of the previously detected intussusception. Conclusion Clinicians should be aware of the potential for the occurrence of intussusception in severely hyperglycaemic patients. Correction of hyperglycaemia could lead to resolution of the intussusception without surgical intervention. Possible effects of hyperkalaemia and/or acidosis on gastrointestinal motility should also be considered.